Ocean observatory systems • networks that can monitor conditions in critical coastal and remote open-ocean locations • provide a continuous flow of data in near-real time to scientists and marine resource managers onshore • provide critical information for research on climate change, biogeochemical cycles, ecosystem assessment, and environmental hazard • enhances presence in the ocean—follow the changes in the ocean over longer period of time From Monterey Bay 2006 field experiment

EDUCATION MONITORING OBSERVING RESEARCH Monitoring:systematic collection of mission driven environmental data to determine current conditions, trends, variation Observing:collection of real-time environmental data for a host of uses Research:scientific investigation and scholarly pursuit of knowledge Education:presentation of information in a manner that people can take action

Automated shore stations • suite of sensors at piers along the California coast • automated sensors measure temperature, salinity, chlorophyll, turbidity and water level • local and regional information on mixing and upwelling, land run-off, and algal blooms.

Cast data integration program • snapshots of regional conditions at the time data are collected • boat based programs sample physical, chemical and biological properties of the ocean • using instruments that are mounted to the ship or are deployed overboard at specific stations • discrete samples – provide fine scale data • ongoing series of cruises (CalCOFI) are invaluable for analysis of seasonal, interannual or long term changes in the ocean ecosystem. • Bight Water Quality Data (Central Bight Water Quality Working Group) • 217 sites in the Los Angeles and Santa Barbara region • Temperature, Salinity, Density, Chlorophyll, Coliforms, and E. Coli displayed and available for download. • Point Loma & South Bay Ocean Outfall Permit Programs (City of San Diego) • 181 sites in the San Diego region • Temperature, Salinity, Density, Chlorophyll, and Coliforms displayed and available for download. Captain

Moorings + Buoys • several packages of automated sensors which are spaced throughout the water column • Measure water temperature, salinity, turbidity, chlorophyll, nutrients, speed and direction of currents • data is used in model forecasts, as well as in analysis of long term ocean trends.

Coastal Ocean Current Mapping (HF Radar Network) • surface waves - half of the radar wavelength to be reflected back to the radar system • Doppler shift – twd or away from the radar • For true direction and velocity of surface waves, at least 2 radars needed

So what are the advantages of using real-time data in the classroom? National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Science findings of 2000, which revealed a statistically significant increase in scores of those students who downloaded and analyzed data, there also exists compelling evidence that this approach to science instruction improves standardized test scores (National Center for Education Statistics, 2001). Furthermore, in a review of studies on problem solving, it was concluded good problem solvers work harder than poor problem solvers. Most studies of thinking find that problem solvers need to be conscious of their own reasoning processes by talking or writing down their thoughts (Lockhead 1981). Taken from.. http://marine.rutgers.edu/outreach/...